Terrorist Messaging Urges Use of Edged-Weapons

Terrorist messaging over the past several years has

espoused the use of rudimentary and readily available
edged weapons, which may result in fewer observable
indicators and reduced time for detection and disruption.
A recent example is an October 2020 publication of the
pro-ISIS The Voice of Hind by the Kashmiri group Jund al-
Khilafah titled “The Deviant Methodologies and Their Evil
Endings,” containing a graphic urging edged-weapon
attacks against those accused of blasphemy. The
publication highlighted the October 2020 knife attack in
France of a teacher who was killed after instructing a class
on freedom of expression in context of the Charlie Hebdo
Muhammad cartoons. The tactic was seen again several Graphic from The Voice of Hind
days later when an individual killed at least three people
and injured several others in a knife attack at a church in Nice, France, and another individual stabbed
and slightly wounded a guard at the French Consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
CONSIDERATIONS: First responders may observe indications that an edged-weapon attack is terrorism-
related during the course of an incident. An attacker’s actions or statements during an operation may
provide responders with insight into potential motivations and possible follow-on tactics, techniques,
and procedures used by the attacker(s). Also important for consideration is that an incident may be part
of a larger, complex and coordinated attack, which may entail additional attackers targeting first
responders.
• A suspect motivated by violent ideology, including one that inspires martyrdom, may not comply
with commands to discontinue the attack and disarm.
• Throughout an incident, the following indicators may be observed:
o PRE-ARRIVAL: Information relayed by a 911 operator, such as attacker’s statements or
caller’s reported observation of warning behaviors exhibited, such as allegiance to terrorist
groups or revenge for a perceived injury or grievance.
o DURING RESPONSE: Scene size-up and lifesaving actions, as well as visible or audible signs
indicating violent extremist ideology (stickers, emblems, and flags).
o POST-INCIDENT: Exploitation of media, pocket litter, journals, interviews (victims, witnesses,
friends, and family), financial transactions, and travel records.

2 NOVEMBER 2020
AUTHORED BY NCTC, DHS, FBI

NOTICE: This is a Joint Counterterrorism Assessment Team (JCAT) publication. JCAT is a collaboration by the NCTC, DHS and FBI to improve
information sharing among federal, state, local, tribal, territorial governments and private sector partners, in the interest of enhancing public
safety. This product is NOT in response to a specific threat against the United States. It provides general awareness of, considerations for, and
additional resources related to terrorist tactics, techniques and procedures, whether domestic or overseas. Consider the enclosed information
within existing laws, regulations, authorities, agreements, policies or procedures. For additional information, contact us at JCAT@NCTC.GOV.
RESPONSE: Responders should be highly aware of their surroundings and the nature of the call for
service, which may provide indications of an attempt to lure responding officers into an ambush or
follow-on attack.
• When being approached, watch a person’s hands for palmed items or suspicious movements, such
as reaching for pockets, waist, purse, or anywhere a weapon could be concealed.
• Seemingly innocuous items, such as lawnmower blades or wrenches, may be commercially modified
or modified by an individual to artfully conceal edged weapons.
• Use of appropriate safety gear is recommended, including equipment such as ballistic vests, which
may not be specifically intended to protect against edged weapons but may provide an extra
measure of protection.
TRAINING: Responders are encouraged to prepare for edged-weapon attacks through continued service
training. Studies have established parity of force between holstered firearms and impact or edged
weapons at 21 feet, based on reaction time and marksmanship challenges, with firearms gaining
advantage as distance increases.
• Update training plans and use-of-force policies to include edged- and impact-weapon attacks.
• Incorporate “self-aid” training for traumatic edged-weapon injuries, and ensure that associated
equipment or tools, such as quick-clotting bandages and tourniquets, are readily accessible to
officers.
• Perform interagency training and joint exercises to develop and establish effective emergency
response plans, which can improve mitigation tactics, increase rapid lifesaving treatment, and assist
with post-incident transition to the investigation phase.

2 NOVEMBER 2020
AUTHORED BY NCTC, DHS, FBI
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SUBMIT 028706 ID 5-16